Just curious, I am about to do my first tear down and rebuild, and am just starting to research places to buy parts. I know everyone goes to Jegs, Edelbrock, Hawks, Thunder, etc..... for the big items, like heads and intakes. My question is, where do you guys buy your little stuff? Main bearings, studs, rod bolts, freeze plugs, cam bearings, piston rings, head gaskets, timing chain, etc, etc.

This is going to be a "stock" rebuild, reusing the heads, camshaft, intake, valve covers etc...so the big stuff is covered. I'm even hoping the crank, rods, and pistons are reusable, as the motor is still running in the car, just beginning to show signs of wear. (Rod knock just started within the week, car was immediately taken off the road). I will be having a machine shop check all the pieces to ensure I don't reuse any damaged engine parts.


Basically, does anyone sell rebuild "kits" at a reasonable price, that include just the pieces for a stock rebuild? Does such a kit exist? Any recommendations for small (and inexpensive) improvements I can do to improve durability and possibly power while still remaining "stock"? I recognize minor improvements will not make me magically run 12s or last 300K miles, but I want to do the job right. The things I am considering already are improved engine fasteners (ARP bolts), a heavy duty timing chain, aftermarket stock-ratio rocker arms (to ensure consistency), and a mild port on the top of the motor, more deburring and gasket matching than actual heavy port work.

Any other suggestions, tips, tricks or advice for a first time engine builder would be appreciated. I have done complete engine and transmission swaps before, so I am not wandering into this completely blind, but this will be my first time actually tearing the motor itself down.

Sorry for all the questions and lengthy explanations....I am a compulsive researcher .

 

Well first, you won't know if you can do an absolute stock rebuild until you tear it apart. You should have the block and such checked for any excessive wear and determine if you need to have it bored any and the crank and rods turned. If everything checks out you can get a kit from Summitracing.com. I'm assuming you have a 305. Check this part # FEM-MHP124-000. If you have a 350 just search there for 350 rebuild kit. It will come up. There are many available for both engines. Just get it checked by a machine shop first so you know if you need oversized pistons or bearing to make up for machining.

 

check out

http://www.northernautoparts.com/

I've had great luck with them, they have really cheap kits that are "upgradeable" depending on what you want. Worth a look.

 

I also like Northern Auto, I built a pretty stout 350 using their parts.

 

Thanks for the leads fellas.


Vortec, its actually the L98 out of my Iroc. I mentioned it in the original post, but I will definately be having everything checked out at a reputable machine shop.

Any other suggested upgrades for durability or performance beyond what I listed?

 

When I did a quick search on summit, I found one for the 350 block for $117. That was gaskets, ring, and bearings, freeze plugs and such. Not to bad.

I am finishing up my first build as well. When I had the block bored and stuff, the machine shop had the freeze plugs and cam bearings there and was included in the total price. You may want to check a shop and see what all the services include. What they have already.